Sunday, October 6, marked the ninth anniversary of LifePoint Church. Testimonies of God’s redeeming work filled the day’s celebration. The public testimony of baptism was an exciting part of the day as we baptized ten people, one for each year and one to grow on. This video captures six baptism testimonies, including four children and two men. We rejoice in the redeeming work of God through the gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed in these baptisms!
A LifePoint tradition that we’ve practiced from the beginning is that if a father is a covenant member, we allow him to baptize his child. This is not a trite practice to warm parental hearts. Our purpose is to demonstrate that a father holds the principle responsibility for discipling his child. LifePoint considers the father’s responsibility as “first disciple maker” an essential element in the way we design family ministry. We strive to intentionally implement parental responsibility in the way we teach and train parents, as well as the way we shape and practice gospel-centered, children’s ministry (KidLife). We hold that believer’s baptism is an ordinance given to the local church and should remain under its authority. However, the local church is responsible to train parents to center the home and family around Jesus by the gospel. The biblical responsibility of parents in the home and the authority of the local church form a partnership to raise children in the grace of God by the gospel of Jesus Christ for kingdom advancement and God’s glory. You could say LifePoint’s multiplication strategy is simple: multiply Jesus-centered homes (“be fruitful and multiply,” Gen. 1:28) to multiply Jesus-centered local churches (“Go and make disciples.” Matt. 28:19).
I want to note two specific baptisms. The first baptism, as I explain in the video, is by a father who I baptized only a few months after LifePoint launched public services. (The baptism pictured above.) I mention this baptism because it spans the entire time of LifePoint, to date, and provides a vision for gospel-centered family ministry. LifePoint strives to reach the whole family with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Before a child is baptized at LifePoint, we provide a devotional book for parents to use in conversation with their child. This equips them and provides time to affirm their child’s understanding of the gospel, the meaning of being a Christian, and baptism. The book takes about four weeks to complete. During this time we track progress with the parents. Upon completion and once the parents feel confident in their child’s understanding and decision, I meet with the child and parent to discuss, and we proceed with scheduling baptism.
The last two baptisms in the video are a father who gets baptized and then baptizes his son. What a powerful picture of a father’s humility and courage to lead his family. Both fathers that are baptized in the video shared a strong desire to courageously lead their family in following Jesus. What a powerful testimony as the LifePoint worship team sings “Beneath the Waters (I Will Rise)” by Brooke Ligertwood and Scott Ligertwood. I pray God multiplies this testimony an infinite number of times among LifePoint as he multiplies our years, favor with people, and influence for the gospel. I pray this video encourages you to love and serve God more faithfully too.